TOOLS / SUPPLIES

SYSTEMS / EQUIPMENT

Product: iExaminer
Top Line: Welch Allyn has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Welch Allyn iExaminer. The iExaminer consists of a hardware adapter and associated software that allows healthcare providers to capture, store, send and retrieve images from the Welch Allyn PanOptic Ophthalmoscope using the iPhone 4 or 4S. The PanOptic features patented optical technology that creates a viewing area of the fundus and retinal nerve in an undilated pupil that is 5 times larger than that of a traditional ophthalmoscope and increases magnification by 26 percent to more easily see retinal details. Available for shipment on February 11, the iExaminer rapidly captures and transmits the retinal images created by the PanOptic for easy, cost-effective eyeground image documentation.
Close Up: “The iExaminer allows healthcare providers to easily capture and share the images of a fundus in a moment’s notice, helping to improve the quality of care provided—especially for remote users who may not have easy access to specialists,” said Rick Farchione, senior manager, physical assessment at Welch Allyn. “It will increase workflow efficiency by allowing providers to capture and share images from any clinical environment. It is a low-cost way to digitally capture eye imaging and will also make it easier for providers to share images with their patients, helping to improve patient knowledge and compliance.”
The iExaminer adapter aligns the optical access of the PanOptic to the visual axis of the iPhone 4 or 4S camera to capture high resolution pictures of a patient’s fundus and retinal nerve. The iExaminer software application, available from the Apple App Store, then allows physicians to save images to a patient file, as well as e-mail and print the images.
“This is the first affordable device to give almost anyone, anywhere the ability to capture a picture of the back of the eye,” said Dr. Wyche Coleman, inventor of the iExaminer. “I was able to take this very lightweight, portable, inexpensive iExaminer to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in sub-Saharan Africa and take a picture of a patient’s fundus. From the top of the mountain, I then transmitted it to a doctor at Johns Hopkins University in the United States where he was able to analyze the image.”
Vital Stats: The Welch Allyn PanOptic Ophthalmoscope features the patented Axial PointSource Optics that gives healthcare professionals a dramatically wider, more panoramic view of the retina, or fundus, of the eye. The technology provides a 25 degree field-of-view, making it possible to see the different features of the fundus more efficiently than the 5 degree field-of-view provided by a standard ophthalmoscope. The design also creates a much greater working distance between the provider and the patient, greatly improving the comfort level of both during the exam, while at the same time delivers a 26 percent increase in magnification to make it easier to see retinal details. The PanOptic works with all Welch Allyn 3.5 volt power source handles.
www.welchallyn.com

WEB TECH

Altair Eyewear Launches Updated, Enhanced Site

Product: AltairEyewear.com has been reimagined, with a modern, easy-to-navigate design developed to help readers explore Altair’s growing portfolio of eyewear brands. These now include: Anne Klein, bebe, Tommy Bahama, Joseph Abboud, JOE Joseph Abboud, Revlon and Sigrid Olsen.
Top Line: The website’s individual “brand centers” highlight each brand’s unique style, engaging content and product details.
Close Up: Users can browse complete catalogs with a new, intuitive menu design which allows the viewer to refine each collection by material, inspiration and more. Frame details zoom with 360-degree views to show all details. In addition to a new Search by Model and Custom Search tools, accounts can also create a “Virtual Frame Tray” of styles and merchandising materials that can be emailed directly to their account executive. New Media and Event centers feature the latest coverage and industry events.
Vital Stats: Altair’s new suite of account management tools enables ECPs to view their no-cost frame inventory, make payments online, request documents, download price lists and get up-to-date product availability 24/7. Altair is a division of Marchon Eyewear and a subsidiary of VSP Global.
www.altaireyewear.com

Salem Vision Group Launches Mobile Websites

Product: Salem Vision Group’s Mobile Websites
Top Line: Salem Distributing Company is launching divisional websites for mobile devices.
Close Up: The optical industry will now have direct mobile access to the Salem Vision Group web site from its corporate landing page. The site contains Salem’s products catalog, equipment showroom, and territory map for fast easy access to the Salem sales team as well as a sales promotions page and an industry events calendar.
The online catalog contains Salem’s complete line of Surfacing and Finishing supplies with direct links to online buying and to its knowledgeable sales support staff.
The Equipment Showroom offers a comprehensive look at Salem’s equipment. This site includes downloadable equipment brochures and informational videos as well as sales support links to answer questions or address immediate requests.
The goals of the mobile websites are for Salem to expand its reach to accommodate the industries it serves and meet its customer bases demand for fast, accurate information gathering for critical decision making and equally as fast and accurate sales and delivery of products vital to their success.
Vital Stats: Salem’s web address has not changed; access from mobile devices will automatically route to the mobile site,
www.salemdist.com.

TOOLS / SUPPLIES

OptiSource Signs 16-year Licensing Deal for Snapit Screw

Product: Snapit frame screw
Top Line: OptiSource International has signed a sixteen-year manufacturing licensing agreement with Eyeego, the inventor of the Snapit frame screw. OptiSource had previously been selling Snapit under an exclusive distribution agreement since 2009. “Eyeego has been a valuable business partner and the manufacturing license will allow us to further grow the market for Snapit screws,” said Daryl Squicciarini, OptiSource’s president.
Close Up: The Snapit frame screw, with its extra-long feeder tab that helps guide screws into tight spaces, then snaps off by hand, was awarded a utility patent, based on over sixty claims, in December of 2011, with multiple other patents pending. “The design and utility of Snapit represents the largest leap in frame-screw technology,”Squicciarini noted.
Vital Stats: OptiSource offers Snapit in 26 hinge and eyewire designs with new sizes, styles, and colors being added quarterly. Since its launch, Snapit has won the top prize and the People's Choice Award at the National Invention Convention, received the Award of Excellence from the Optical Laboratories Association, and won both the award of excellence for the Australia Optical Association and the National Hardware Retailers Choice Award.
www.1-800-optisource.com